Chapter 32: A Real Duel? I Was Just Messing with Them!

"What did you just say?!" Harry and Ron's shocked outbursts drew the attention of nearly everyone in the Great Hall. They quickly lowered their voices, but their astonishment was impossible to hide. Edward? Involved in their duel? Harry and Ron immediately started to second-guess themselves. If it was just Malfoy, Crabbe, or Goyle, they wouldn't have been too worried. But Edward? They'd probably be flat on their backs and headed to the hospital wing before the first spell was cast. Even though Edward had never used a dark curse in front of anyone, Harry and Ron just had a gut feeling there wasn't much he couldn't do. And if he didn't know how, he'd probably pick it up in no time. A flash of panic crossed their faces, which filled Malfoy with smug satisfaction. But the two Gryffindors were sharp, and they quickly sensed something was off. "Malfoy, has a dragon roasted your brain?" Ron snapped. "Even if Edward's a Slytherin, that doesn't mean he'd help you in a duel!" "And seriously, you think you're worthy of having Edward as your second?" Ron added, glaring. Malfoy fell silent, caught off guard. He'd been so focused on using Edward's name to intimidate them that he hadn't considered whether Edward would actually agree. Truth be told, he'd never intended to duel Harry or Ron in the first place. The whole "midnight duel" thing was just bait. Malfoy had no plans to show up. His real goal was to tip off Filch about the duel's location and let Harry and Ron get caught sneaking out at night. But now, thanks to his big mouth, things were spiraling out of control. If he didn't ask Edward in front of Harry and Ron, he'd look like a coward who was all talk. But if he did ask Edward and Edward said no, what then? Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. But... what if Edward did agree? Wouldn't that mean his plan could still work? He and Edward had just started getting along better. Maybe if he asked now, Edward might actually say yes? Malfoy wasn't about to back down in front of Potter and Weasley. "Of course he'll agree! I swear it on the Malfoy family name!" Puffing out his chest, he marched Harry and Ron over to Edward. Though Edward was sitting a bit farther away, he'd overheard the three of them talking about him. A duel? He could ignore most things, but the word "duel" got his full attention. "Edward, I, uh, need to ask you something," Malfoy said, sliding up next to him and lowering his voice. "Potter wants to have a wizard's duel with me—you know, a proper one. I need a second. Will you do it?" The usual arrogance on Malfoy's face melted into something almost sincere. "If you don't want to, I could be your second instead. Please, help me out!" Malfoy's voice was urgent, and he kept shooting Edward desperate looks, hoping he'd catch his meaning. "A duel? Count me in," Edward said, setting down his fork without hesitation. Malfoy's face lit up like a Christmas tree, his chest puffing out like a proud turkey. "See? Told you so," he said, smirking at Harry. "Tonight, midnight, in the trophy room. It's never locked." Harry and Ron looked visibly uneasy. They couldn't wrap their heads around why Edward would agree to help Malfoy. This was the guy who'd put Malfoy in his place on the train the first day of school, earned 30 house points in a single week, and came from a family with no need for Malfoy's bribes or threats. If they weren't at Hogwarts—the safest place in the wizarding world—and if Malfoy wasn't such an obvious blowhard, Ron might've even suspected an Imperius Curse. Now the real question was: what were they supposed to do? Could they even last against Edward? Ron deeply regretted his big mouth for agreeing to the duel so quickly. Back out now, and he'd look weak in front of Malfoy. "Don't worry, you two. It's not as bad as you think. See you tonight," Edward said, noticing their dejection and trying to reassure them. It didn't help much. Harry and Ron trudged off, heads hanging low. "Haha! Did you see Potter and Weasley's faces? You're a real mate, Edward!" Malfoy crowed, practically glowing. But Daphne, who'd overheard the whole exchange, gave Malfoy a skeptical look. "Draco, are you seriously planning to break school rules and have Edward drag you to a midnight duel with two Gryffindors?" "If your father finds out—" "Oh, come off it, Daphne. You really think I'm that stupid? Whoever shows up is an idiot! All I need to do is tip off Filch—" Malfoy, caught up in his own smugness, didn't notice Edward's hand resting on his shoulder. "Draco, did you just say you're not planning to show up tonight?" Malfoy felt the hairs on his neck stand up, and his shoulder started to ache with phantom pain. He'd thought Edward was finally on his side! "No, wait, you didn't take me seriously, did you? I was just messing with them! I only wanted you to play along!" "Of course," Edward said, his tone deadly serious. "A duel is a matter of honor, Draco. Backing out of one is shameful." "And we Slytherins are honest, aren't we? Snitching isn't our style." Malfoy smacked his forehead, now just as despairing as Harry and Ron. He'd overlooked one crucial detail. Edward had the blood of a Round Table Knight in his veins! Even if Malfoy knew nothing about knights, he knew what their code meant. The word "duel" was like a shot of Pepper-Up Potion to them! Why had he picked Edward as his second? If he'd just gone with Crabbe or Goyle, he wouldn't be in this mess! "No, Edward, listen. You're a top student, the first in Hogwarts history to earn so many points in a week. Sneaking out for a duel breaks school rules. Maybe we shouldn't do this?" Malfoy's brain was in overdrive, and he was shocked to find himself using the "good student" card to talk Edward out of it. "No, no, no, Draco. Think about it. We're not just representing ourselves—we're carrying the honor of Slytherin House. You don't want us to look weak in front of Gryffindor, do you?" "For honor, breaking a few rules is worth it! Your name will go down in Hogwarts history!" "Don't worry, as your second, I'll be right there with you. Harry's got some magical talent, but I'm betting on you! See you in the common room tonight~" Edward gave Malfoy's shoulder a hearty pat and walked off. Malfoy was speechless, turning to Daphne with a pleading look. "Daphne, you're always hanging around Edward. Can't you—" "I'm looking forward to tonight's duel. With Edward there, you've got this, Draco," Daphne said with a sly smile before leaving. Left alone at the Slytherin table, a defeated Malfoy clutched his hair in frustration. What have I gotten myself into?! read more inpatreon ilham20